Small mines - safety management systems review - July 2025 to June 2026
This report provides the findings of an assessment program at small mines focussing on the review of safety management systems.
| Sector | Small mines |
|---|---|
| Program topic | Safety management systems |
| Topic detail | General inspections– tier 2 mines – verify SMS risk controls |
Operation type assessed
| Operation type | Number of mines assessed |
|---|---|
| Surface | 200 |
| Dredging | 12 |
| Processing | 1 |
| Total | 213 |
Criteria assessed
| Criteria topic | Criteria assessment |
|---|---|
|
Safety management system - Review of risk controls |
|
Findings with issues identified - small mines - safety management systems
| Criteria assessment | Findings of concern |
Findings of contravention |
Multiple notices issued | Total findings with issues |
| Are there inspections in place at the Quarry to support the safety management system (SMS)? |
14 |
98 |
4 |
116 |
| Who completes the inspections and are they trained to complete the inspection? |
9 |
38 |
0 |
47 |
| Who reviews completed inspections? |
8 |
12 |
0 |
20 |
| How often are inspections completed? Is it appropriate for the size and complexity of the operation? |
5 |
40 |
0 |
45 |
| Is there a rectification process for issues that are found on inspections? Are workers empowered to stop the job till identified issues are rectified? |
11 |
24 |
0 |
35 |
| Total program findings with issues |
47 |
212 |
4 |
263 |
In addition, there were 83 other findings with issues identified (concern 15, contravention 59, immediate risk 4, multiple notices issued 5)
Compliance notice type issued during the program
| Notice type | Notices | Percentage of all notices issued |
|---|---|---|
| WHS(MPS)A s23 notice of concerns |
39 |
17% |
| WHSA s191 improvement notice |
181 |
79% |
| WHSA s195 prohibition notice |
8 |
4% |
| Total |
228 |
100% |
A total of 228 notices issued to 143 mines.
Recommendations
Operators of small mines should review their safety management systems and the findings of risk controls assessed in the Regulators inspection program:
| Criteria assessment | Recommendations to industry |
|---|---|
| Are there inspections in place at the Quarry to support the safety management system (SMS)? |
|
| Who completes the inspections and are they trained to complete the inspection? |
|
| Who reviews completed inspections? |
|
| How often are inspections completed? Is it appropriate for the size and complexity of the operation? |
|
| Is there a rectification process for issues that are found on inspections? Are workers empowered to stop the job till identified issues are rectified? |
|